Nazis May March in Munich

The Administrative Court has announced today its verdict regarding the Nazis' right to march in Munich. Right-wing extremists will be allowed to march in the streets of Munich in memory of their heroes. The Court explained their verdict saying that prohibition would violate the freedom of assembly.

Some 100 neo-Nazis, thousands of counter demonstrators, hours of paralysis of the inner city traffic routes – the city has to get used to such "hero memorial marches " and to the counter protests since neo-Nazi Philipp Hasselbach (23) has won his action against the ban.

It has become a ritual in recent years: Hasselbach wants to hold, with his comrades from the "Free Nationalists", a "Heroes Memorial March" in November. The city of Munich wouldn't allow this type of demonstration but is now forced to permit the march because of the final verdict of the Bavarian Administrative Court (VGH)

However during the trial on Wednesday the city court hinted that it wanted to continue the "examination of the case" and to resume the prohibition. The Administrative court is trying now to find an agreement with the City of Munich but the city court doesn’t seem open to negotiation. The risk of a counter action by the city court was clear but the Administrative Court decided to protect the right of assembly. 

The judges approved the verdict of the VGH and decided to proceed in the affirmative action for Hesse's grant.  

The courts look at the bans as a severe threat to the freedom of assembly. 

Perhaps this will be a legal victory that the native of Essen, Philipp Hasselbach will not enjoy since he is currently in Stadelheim following a trial later last year. The Munich District Court has sentenced him to 20 months in prison in November 2010 for grievous bodily harm during a dispute with his ex-girlfriend and her friends.